In 1940, Colonel Carleton K. Butler, director of the University of Alabama, "Million Dollar Band", was also the Tuscaloosa High School, "Black Bear Band" director. 

The tune of the T.H.S. Alma Mater was then, the same as that of The University of Alabama "Alma Mater" , from an old popular song, "Annie Lisle".

Col. Butler felt that T.H.S. should have a distinctive tune and convinced officials to make a change.

"Underneath the Old Oak Trees" was adopted as the T.H.S. Alma Mater in 1940. Col. Butler set Miss Duren's words to music using  the traditional song " Aura Lee". (In the late fifties Elvis Presley made the tune familiar to the public as "Love Me Tender".)

Sara Ann Duren was the daughter of  James R. and Hattie D. Duren of 12th Street, Tuscaloosa.  Sara Duren died of an asthmatic attack in 1941 at age sixteen, before she could graduate from T.H.S. She now rests in Evergreen Cemetery at 12th Street, Tuscaloosa, near a row of oak trees.

Information thanks to: 
Charles Ebersole, T.H.S. '61
Robert Colburn, T.H.S. '42,
John Talantis, T.H.S. '42,
Edna Hardin Cooper T.H.S. '39.
University of Alabama, Million Band